Saturday, 27 October 2012

The RHSV has extended the exhibition of books entered in the Victorian Community History Awards until the end of next week, so if you'd like to browse through the many entries received, there is still time. Quite a few of these books are now available for sale in our bookshop, such as the CD All Aboard, and the book Ellen, A Woman of Spirit which tells the story of Ellen Kelly, mother of Ned.

Thursday, 25 October 2012

They celebrated History Week at Moe with the opening of a new exhibit at Old Gippstown on Tuesday - the refurbished Narracan Mechanics Institute. It is a wonder to behold, and bound to be a favourite with booklovers everywhere.

The Narracan Library is open every day by appointment at Old Gippstown - see the History Week Calendar for details.

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

The 2012 Victorian Community History Awards were held this afternoon at the Great Hall, National Gallery of Victoria. While waiting for the official photos, here are some unofficial photos taken of some of the happy cateogory winners:'

Lyn Skillern with past RHSV President Professor Weston Bate.

Lyn Skillern recieved an award on behalf of herself and others of the Leongatha Secondary College in the category: Collaborative Community History Award.

The result of their collaboration was the book, From Inkwell to Internet: a century of State Secondary Education in Leongatha.

Gib Wettenhall with his winning publication.

In the category Historical Interpretation Award, Gib Wettenhall was the winner with his Goldfields Track Walking Guide.

Another winner, this time in the category Local History - Small Publication Award. Ken's book is Chewton Then and Now: A series of studies investigating change over time in the former Mount Alexander goldfield town of Forest Creek later known as Chewton.

Congratulations to these and all the other winners and recipients of commendations. We also congratulate all the entrants in the Victorian Community History Awards. To devise, carry out and complete an historical project to the point where it can be entered in the awards is an achievement in its own right, and you are all winners.

Don't forget that all the entries in the 2012 Victorian Community History Awards are currently being exhibited at the RHSV headquarters, 239 A'Beckett St, Melbourne from now until Friday 26 October, between 10 am and 4 pm.

Next week, the winners and commended entries will be exhibited in the foyer of the RHSV headquarters.

The major prize-winner in the Victorian Community History Awards this year was Maree Coote for her beautiful book "The Art of Being Melbourne."

The book is richly illustrated with artists' views of Melbourne from early colonial artists to modern and comtemporary art, thoughtfully analysed by the author. For the judges' full comments on this work, and on the work of the other category winners and commendations see the RHSV for downloadable .pdf brochure.

Along with the winners' booklet, there is a further .pdf listing of every entry in the Victorian Community History Awards 2012.

Sunday, 21 October 2012

Members of the Heathcote McIvor Historical Society Inc are opening buildings in the Camp Hill Historic Precinct, 19 Herriot Street, Heathcote every day from 10 am to 3 pm during History Week 2012. Items exhibited are introduced by the curator in a very engaging way.

A particular item of note in the Lockup is a WW1 Honour Roll from a local, but now closed school. The Roll was written and decorated by a calligrapher, but had been badly insect damaged. A grant from the Department of Veterans' Affairs allowed this item to be beautifully re-created, as the original was too far gone to be restored. Both are on display in one of the cells, along with other local Honour Rolls.

The Heathcote Lockup, built in 1861.

Another cell contains the business ledgers and invoices of a local busines, with an intriguing tale of how they came to be discovered and donated to the Heathcote McIvor Historical Society.

The Lockup itself is of considerable interest for the very fine stonemasonry.

A view of the hall of the lockup, Commissioner's office at the end.

The Society also has a growing collection of material for local history research.

Friday, 19 October 2012

Stratford Historical Society got in a week early for History Week, and
held a highly successful Farm Heritage Day yesterday. They invite groups around Victoria to load up some History Week activity photos to this Flickr group:

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Excitement is building as we draw closer to the announcement
on Tuesday 23 October of the winners and commendations for the 2012 Victorian
Community History Awards.

This year has seen the highest number of entries since the
Awards were inaugurated in 1998. For the first time, to celebrate History Week at the Royal
Historical Society of Victoria, the entries in the Victorian Community History
Awards will be available for visitors to peruse at leisure during History
Week at RHSV headquarters.

Come and see the fantastic work being done by historical
societies right round the state of Victoria.Some of the books are already for sale in the RHSV bookshop, so if you
like what you see, you may be able to buy a copy on the spot and take it home
with you. Examples of the books we have for sale are included in this post.

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Welcome to RHSV News

The Royal Historical Society of Victoria was formed in 1909 and is a community organisation committed to collecting, researching and sharing an understanding of the history of Victoria.

With the support of a large number of volunteers, the RHSV provides a full program of activities (e.g. lectures, seminars, excursions and exhibitions) for the benefit of members and the general public. The Society publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, a reviewed journal and books of historical interest.